Michigan coach Dusty May has agreed to become the new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Adam Schefter and Pete Thamel.
The shocking news dropped Monday morning, less than 48 hours before the NBA Draft. May, 49, guided Michigan to the 2025-26 national title. In his two seasons in Ann Arbor, the program went 64-13 and won a pair of Big Ten championships. Before taking over the Wolverines, May spent six seasons at Florida Atlantic, where he made two NCAA Tournament appearances and helped the Owls reach the 2023 Final Four as a No. 9 seed.
May takes over a Mavericks team headlined by reigning Rookie of the Year and former Duke star Cooper Flagg, who won the 2024-25 Wooden Award. Following a disappointing 26-56 season, Dallas hired former Raptors executive Masai Ujiri to be its new president in early May. The franchise mutually parted ways with coach Jason Kidd, who was at the helm from 2021-26, shortly after. Kidd brought the Mavs to the 2024 NBA Finals before they traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025.
It has been seven years since a college head coach accepted an NBA job. Ironically, the last to make the leap was former Michigan coach John Beilein, who joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2019.
With May leaving, Michigan’s players will have the opportunity to explore other options. Under NCAA rules, a 15-day transfer window will open five days after the school officially hires or publicly announces a new coach. It’s been reported that assistant Mike Boynton is being promoted to interim head coach. Boynton was the head coach at Oklahoma State from 2017-24, compiling a 119-109 record and making one NCAA Tournament.
Led by Final Four Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau, standout wing Trey McKenney, top-10 recruit Brandon McCoy Jr. and a loaded transfer class, Michigan has the talent to contend for another NCAA title as presently constructed. The program is ranked No. 3 in Hoops HQ’s Never-Too-Early Top 25.
Dallas owns the No. 9 pick in Tuesday’s NBA Draft. Three former UM players — 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara, 6-foot-10 forward Yaxel Lendeborg and 6-foot-9 forward Morez Johnson Jr. — are projected to be taken in the top 20. Hoops HQ’s final mock draft has the Mavs selecting 6-foot-4 guard Brayden Burries out of Arizona.
DUSTY MAY TO NBA
Dusty May, the Latter-Day Coach K
From their Bob Knight roots to modern day recruiting, May and Mike Krzyzewski have much in common
It’s Dusty In Here: May Leads Michigan To NCAA Championship
During his two years in Ann Arbor, the 49-year-old Indiana native has shown an uncanny ability to assemble new rosters and build cohesive, championship teams
Dusty May Unpacks Michigan’s Dominant Season and Picks His All-Time Wolverines Starting Five
Following a huge win over Michigan State on Saturday, May joined Seth Davis and Andy Katz on The Hoops HQ Show
Meet your guide
